Rolfes comments on training rumors
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Real Madrid apparently want to make double use of Bayer 04 Leverkusen next summer. As “Sky” journalist Florian Plettenberg reports, the Royals are planning a double blow: coach Xabi Alonso and offensive player Florian Wirtz (21) should ideally move from the reigning Bundesliga champion to Madrid in 2025.
Despite having a contract valid until 2026, veteran Carlo Ancelotti is very likely to leave Real after the season. The 65-year-old Italian would thus make way for high-level player Alonso, who, also contracted until 2026, is considered the big favorite to succeed him. Bayer 04 is already preparing for the departure of the 42-year-old. Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß and DFB assistant coach Sandro Wagner are considered promising candidates for the Werkself (more on background). Manchester City also have Alonso on the list in case of Pep Guardiola’s departure this summer. But in reality, the chances are greater.
There should also be movement within Wirtz’s staff. Aside from Man City’s noted interest, again Real Madrid are now expected to become fully involved in poker for the Germany international. There has already been an exchange between Wirtz’s club and the Madrilenians, of which competitor Man City is informed, while there are no negotiations between Real and Bayer, as is said.
The Bundesliga club continues to hope for a stay and, at best, an extension with the right (Site notre bureau spécialisé) tied until 2027. FC Bayern is also repeatedly linked with Wirtz. Those in charge at Leverkusen, led by boss Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes, obviously want to avoid their best player leaving for Munich and would prefer to let him move to Madrid. The club that ultimately wins the race will most likely have to raise a transfer fee in the region of three-digit millions – Wirtz is one of the most valuable players in the world with a market value of 130 million euros.
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« In (Site notre bureau spécialisé) you can’t promise anything, » Carro recently said in the « Bild » podcast « Phrasenmäher » when asked whether it was possible to rule out Wirtz moving to Bayern this summer. “It goes without saying that we do not want to strengthen the direct competitors of our own championship with top players. I also told Jonathan Tah (who wanted to go to Bayern this summer; editor).
Hoeneß for Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen? Rolfes comments on the rumors
Before the Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart on Friday evening, Rolfes avoided clearly denying rumors about coach Hoeneß. It’s his job “to look, to try, to see.” It’s completely normal, » Rolfes said on DAZN. « But as long as it’s not necessary, neither from the players nor from the coach, it’s all just a good theory. The fact that Hoeneß has an exit clause in his contract with VfB, which runs until 2027, would facilitate possible negotiations for Bayer. » . According to « Sport Bild », he can leave this summer for an amount between 5 and 6 million euros – but only at a club that plays at international level.
“I know the name Hoeneß,” Rolfes said, but there are “so many subjunctives that it makes no sense to speculate about it.” “For the moment,” the coach believes that Alonso will stay 100 percent, “because he has a contract and there is no indication that things are going in another direction.”